i-Llan: 5th January 2025 – January pathways – Wisdom for the journey

A reflection on wise ways to plan for the year ahead.

You can read the podcast with some additional material on https://www.alisteningspace.org.uk/i-llan-2025-01-05/

The episode refers to the Book of Proverbs which is a collection of succinct wise sayings attributed to King Solomon, and possibly dating from an oral tradition before 1000BCE, but still relevant today.

i-Llan is part of alisteningspace.uk

Transcript

Welcome to i-Llan, a podcast connecting faith, life and scripture. This episode looks ahead to the new year and asks, 'what is wisdom for the journey?'

As the year stretches ahead, how do you see it? Do you have a clear pathway mapped out, or does it feel more like trudging through a muddy field trying to avoid the puddles and wondering where the next gate is? Perhaps you prefer not to look ahead but take things as they come?

I’m not one for making New Year resolutions but I do like to take stock of where I am and try to discern where God is inviting me to travel next. Then I set out some intentions for the year and identify a possible pathway for the coming months. To do that, rather than dreaming of being slimmer, fitter and richer, I need wisdom.

The Bible, in the book of Proverbs,  pictures Wisdom as a woman in the town square calling out to whoever will listen. Wisdom is not the preserve of an elite but available to anyone who asks for it and is prepared for the discipline it requires. But how do I find this wisdom, which is not necessarily what the world calls wise? 

The Bible is clear that the source of all true wisdom is God. Divine wisdom is woven into the fabric of the universe and relevant to all aspects of human life. So Proverbs chapter 3 verse 19 says
 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place
 While Psalm 14 warns
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” 

Sophia, which is the Greek word most used for wisdom in the Bible, is an insight into the true nature of things, a broad understanding of how things are. This wisdom is more than knowledge: it has a moral quality of knowing how to put knowledge to right use. Recent public debates, on assisted dying for example, show how nuanced that discussion can be, even for those who agree that religious faith has a view on the matter.

Whereas sophia can be intellectual, there’s another word, phronesis, usually translated ‘prudence’, which is the practical wisdom derived from skill and experience. For example, I may know how to start, steer and stop the car, but I need the skill to adapt my driving to different conditions, and the experience to know when an emergency stop is called for. Or, think of a musician who knows technically how to play the instrument, but needs more than that technical knowledge for the playing to become music.

So, in the search for wisdom, it’s helpful to read the Bible and learn what principles it teaches. Spend time giving attention to the natural world and appreciating its wonders and its workings. Be open and teachable, but also trust your own experience and skill. Always be ready to ask questions, even if the answers are not easily forthcoming. Trust in divine wisdom, even when it seems inscrutable—patience is one of wisdom’s characteristics. I find it’s helpful to keep some sort of journal so I can pause, review progress, and reassess the path ahead.

How does that help with my pathway planning—or yours if you like to look ahead?
 I follow these steps:

• Ask God to give you wisdom—and trust that prayer will be answered. 
   Ask God to help you see his perspective on things.
• Take stock of where you are at this moment: what stands out about 2024, what went well, what was not so good, what have you learned from that?
• Are there things you need to let go of and leave behind?
• Review what wisdom you already have: professional, skills, interests, social. How can you build on that? What gifts can you offer to the world?
• What next steps seem to invite you onwards? How do you feel about them? Is there a challenge but also a sense of rightness? If none seems to emerge, do you feel stuck or are you in a place of pause? 

As a pathway, however tentative, emerges, offer it to God and ask for further guidance.

As you grow in wisdom, may you have a blessed and joy-filled year.

So my prayer is:
May God give you wisdom
 to discern truth,
 to exercise prudence,
 to walk in right paths,
 and live in harmony with creation. Amen.